€6.5m for women's refuge in Dundalk an 'investment into safety for women and children'

Government approval of €6.5 million in funding for the construction of a new domestic violence refuge in Dundalk has been described by the CEO of Women's Aid Dundalk, Ann Larkin, as “an amazing investment into safety for women and children”.

Funding approval for the new domestic violence refuge, which is being brought forward by Women’s Aid Dundalk, and is to be located in Highfield in Dundalk, was announced last Friday by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD.

Once operational, the new refuge will offer 12 residential units, therapeutic spaces, a family access unit, a youth and child support unit, overnight accommodation for staff, as well as outdoor play spaces and resident open space area – which will allow Women’s Aid Dundalk to provide a suite of wraparound services such as counselling and support.

The refuge has been identified as a priority location under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy – which aims to double the number of refuge units and safe accommodation across the country.

Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, Ms Larkin said that “it took huge work from an awful lot of people, across an awful lot of services, to get this through. This issue crosses so many aspects, it's not one department or one agency or group can provide the whole solution. It's going to take at government level. 

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"That's what Zero Tolerance committed to. It's cross departmental. It's everybody taking their piece and working it for the betterment for women and children. A huge amount of work went into getting us here.”

Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2022-2026, published in June 2022, is a whole-of -government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The overarching purpose of the Strategy is that of zero tolerance in Irish society for DSGBV, delivering an enhanced understanding of the root causes and impacts of DSGBV across society, ensuring significant and ongoing reduction in the incidence of DSGBV and supporting changes in behaviour.

Welcoming news of the funding, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan, the national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, said on Friday that: “Women’s Aid Dundalk has been providing vital services for vulnerable women and their children for many years now.

“This funding allocation will help make the new domestic violence refuge in Dundalk a reality, with Women’s Aid Dundalk leading on this ambitious and important project. This is a positive development not only for County Louth, but for the ambitions of the overall Zero Tolerance strategy.”

Minister O’Callaghan, said: “A facility like this can be life changing for those who avail of it, and the funding approved moves us a step closer to making this refuge a reality. The refuge will provide a vital sanctuary for vulnerable women and children, offering safety and care in times of great need.

“Under the government’s Zero Tolerance strategy we have committed to increasing safe accommodation in Louth, and this announcement again demonstrates that we are delivering on our aim to ensure that those who need a refuge space will get one.”

Women's Aid Dundalk hopes that work will start on the new refuge in the second quarter of this year. Ms Larkin explained, “the planning was approved back in March [2025] by Dundalk Municipal District. From there we had it approved, we had to go through the CAS (Capital Assistance Scheme) funding process. 

"We're over that last hurdle, the funding has been approved, the tender packs have all been in. All that work is done, so all going well, we're hoping to start work probably quarter two this year. March/April all going well.”

Announcing the funding last Friday, Minister Browne said: “Domestic violence and coercive control cannot be tolerated. It may often be hidden, but every single one of us who are in a position to can be part of what is a necessary cultural shift. We should all be actively involved in calling out gender based violence in all the ways it presents itself.”

Reflecting on Minister Browne's comment, Ms Larkin said that “it's hidden, but every single one of us are in a position to be part of the solution, part of that cultural and societal shift that has to happen. We're providing the accommodation for women who are fleeing domestic violence, but we all have a part to play in eradicating it.”

Commenting on progress made in recent years on tackling the issue of domestic violence, the Women's Aid Dundalk CEO said that, “I think the pace of change in addressing this issue in this current decade is going to be much faster than it has been over the past three or four.

“We have a long way to go but there is absolutely more awareness of it, there's more resources committed to it. We would be saying in Women's Aid Dundalk, domestic, sexual and gender based violence needs to be talked about in its own right as a major social issue.

“It needs to become part of normal conversation in the same way that we talk about addiction issues, like mental health issues, about suicide prevention, about homelessness. Because it's an element in all of those other social issues, so we need to address it in its own right, and that's what I see happening now with Zero Tolerance, that it is being talked about as the specific issue that it is and not part of those social issues.

“That gives me hope and I would be optimistic that we will see change. In my early times with Women's Aid Dundalk, not in my wildest dreams did I think we would see this level of investment in one refuge.

“But we are one in any number of refuges that's going up around the country. I would be optimistic, but we have a way to go, and it's that cultural shift that has to happen, societal change. It's doable, it's absolutely doable. We need to be empowering our young men and our young boys around what is appropriate, safe behaviour. And the whole issue, it's not acceptable in any way, shape or form.

“And, just as I'm talking to you, I'm aware that there are male victims of domestic violence as well, and thankfully there's now recognition of that and there's services set up to develop the specific responses that men need.

“Just even for this, the very fact that you're talking to me, it will get out there, people will see it, they'll know that there's a service that they can contact, that friends and family can contact for information, and that's key. It's so powerful to have information. We need to be talking about them, When we talk about it, the more unacceptable it will become in society.”

Last Friday's announcement was welcomed by Louth TD, Erin McGreehan, a board member of Women’s Aid Dundalk. Deputy McGreehan described the announcement as a “monumental step forward in strengthening vital services for some of the most vulnerable people in the region.”

She continued: “This investment is about far more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating a safe, supportive environment where women and children can begin to heal, feel believed and supported and take steps towards rebuilding their independence.

“The new refuge in Dundalk will make a profound difference to women at their most vulnerable. Services like Women’s Aid Dundalk provide a lifeline, offering compassionate support, expertise and a pathway out of crisis at a time when it is needed most.

“Working on the board I have seen firsthand the commitment, professionalism and care shown by the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to support survivors. This new facility reflects the scale of the need they encounter every day and will significantly enhance their ability to respond.

“This development will ensure more people can find safety, support and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. It will have a lasting and lifesaving impact for years to come.”

News of the funding was also welcomed by Louth TD Paula Butterly, who said that it “is recognition of the continuous hardwork, advocacy and collaboration of Women's Aid, Dundalk to key stakeholders to ensure we can provide better services and supports for those affected by domestic violence.

“With planning permission in place, I hope that the refuge can progress with speed and be open by the end of 2027. But the work doesn’t stop here, we must ensure that funding and supports continue to increase as unfortunately this is not a problem that is going away but rather is on the rise.

“Along with Women's Aid Dundalk, we are blessed to have dedicated services such as The Women's Refuge, The Red Door Project and the Rape Crisis North East who are always going the extra mile but often sufficient and sustainable funding is not available.”

Deputy Butterly added, “I am always humbled when engaging with these groups how they can provide so much on so little.”